Tunisia

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Northern AfricaApplies 2018–2030Source: "Identification of national priority actions in accordance with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF),"

Translated from French

1. Overview

Tunisia's alignment document, "Identification of national priority actions in accordance with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF)," was initiated by the Ministry of the Environment with UNDP support [§4]. Rather than a standalone strategy, the document constitutes an update and alignment exercise layering KM-GBF obligations onto the existing NBSAP 2018–2030, bringing it into coherence with the KM-GBF adopted in December 2022 under CBD COP15 Decision 15/4 [§4].

The document was developed through three regional consultation workshops (Tabarka, Sousse, and Sfax) and a national workshop in Tunis [§64]. The formal adoption date and date of submission to the CBD are not stated in the source material.

The alignment exercise addresses four activities: updating the NBSAP 2018–2030 to align with KM-GBF objectives and relevant SDGs; updating national biodiversity monitoring systems; reviewing policy and institutional alignment; and reviewing biodiversity financing for KM-GBF implementation to 2030 [§4]. The present document addresses the first activity [§4].

Tunisia's strategy operates under two structural layers. The NBSAP 2018–2030 organises commitments around five action priorities, each with strategic objectives and a headline target. The KM-GBF alignment layer maps updated commitments to four strategic axes (A–D) containing 23 operational objectives [§64]. A flex section immediately following the Ecological Context explains this architecture in full.

Tunisia sets national commitments*Tunisia numbers its national commitments to correspond to GBF target numbers — for example, "Target 3: Increase the area of protected areas by 4% by 2030." This page uses "national commitment" throughout to avoid confusion with the 23 GBF Targets themselves. corresponding to 20 of the 23 GBF Targets. GBF Targets 17, 22, and 23 are addressed in the document's text but without a dedicated national commitment statement.

Tunisia's NBSAP constitutes an alignment exercise layered onto an existing 2018–2030 strategy, operating two distinct structural vocabularies. The strategy sets quantified national commitments for most GBF Targets but documents multiple instruments adopted but never enacted — including a 2017 invasive species strategy, a 2016 resource mobilisation strategy, and a 2015 communication plan — where lack of funding or political will prevented implementation. The national 30x30 commitment adds 4 percentage points to current terrestrial protected area coverage of 7%, against the global 30% benchmark.

Sources:

  • §4 — Preamble
  • §27 — IV.1.1. Five action priorities of the NBSAP 2018–2030
  • §64 — PART II: Action Plan

2. Ecological Context

Tunisia's terrestrial ecosystems span a sharp north-south gradient. Four principal mountain systems anchor the north and centre — the Kroumirie/Mogod range, the Tunisian Dorsale, the High Tell, and the high steppe mountains [§6]. South of the Dorsale, steppe ecosystems extend to the Grand Erg Oriental, comprising Alfa grass (Stipa tenacissima) steppes, wormwood steppes, glasswort halophilic steppes, and Gum tree pseudo-savannas [§7]. The Saharan zone of the Grand Erg Oriental occupies the south-west [§8].

The marine environment is subdivided into northern and eastern facades at Cap Bon, with eight island groups along the coasts — including the Galite archipelago, Zembra and Zembretta, the Kerkennah islands, and Djerba [§10]. Tunisia's ratio of wetland area to total territory is among the highest in the Mediterranean, with 34 of 42 Ramsar wetland types present; coastal wetlands total 197,386 ha and include sebkhas, lagoons, estuaries, and salt marshes [§11].

Recorded terrestrial wild fauna include 7 amphibian species, 61 reptiles, 407 birds, and 78 terrestrial mammals. Marine fauna comprise nearly 2,622 species, dominated by molluscs (654 species), polychaetes (375), crustaceans (345), and fish (351) [§13]. Wild vascular flora total 2,802 exclusively native taxa, with approximately 69 purely Tunisian endemic taxa [§13].

Pressures are documented across all ecosystems. Forests face fires, drought, invasive species, overgrazing, and illegal logging. Alfa steppe area has declined from 1,112,000 ha in 1895 to approximately 552,000 ha by 2000 — a loss of 50% [§71]. Marine and coastal environments face pollution from port and tourism development, eutrophication, invasive alien species, and overexploitation concentrated in the Gulf of Gabes [§14]. Wetlands are threatened by urban expansion, agricultural encroachment, and hydrological modification [§14].

Sources:

  • §6–8 — Preamble > I.1.1. Ecosystems
  • §10–11 — I.1.1.6 Island ecosystems; I.1.1.7 Wetlands
  • §13 — I.2. Species
  • §14 — I.3. Threats to biodiversity
  • §71 — Measure A2.2. Steppe and arid zones

Tunisia's two-layer biodiversity strategy

Tunisia's NBSAP is not a document written from scratch for the KM-GBF. It is an explicit alignment exercise: the KM-GBF obligations are layered onto a pre-existing NBSAP 2018–2030, which carries its own structural vocabulary and target set [§4]. A reader navigating this country page encounters two overlapping architectures.

Layer 1 — NBSAP 2018–2030. This layer organises commitments around five action priorities, each with associated strategic objectives (numbered SO 1.1 through SO 5.2) and a headline target. The five action priorities address: NBSAP implementation capacities (Action Priority 1); biodiversity value integration across policies (AP 2); knowledge and traditional know-how (AP 3); reducing causes of biodiversity loss (AP 4); and biodiversity restoration and ecosystem resilience (AP 5). Together they contain 70 actions and sub-actions [§27] and 19 key indicators broken into 108 operational indicators [§28].

Layer 2 — KM-GBF alignment. The update restructures commitments around four strategic axes (A–D), each aligned to a KM-GBF objective, and 23 operational objectives (e.g., Objective A1, Objective D2). These generate an updated set of national commitments and an action plan developed through the regional and national consultation workshops [§64].

The two layers use different implementation vocabularies — measures and actions in Layer 2; strategic objectives and sub-actions in Layer 1. Several commitments appear in both layers with different framing. This dual architecture also means the document is simultaneously candid about non-implementation of Layer 1 commitments while setting new Layer 2 commitments. Action Priority 1 of the NBSAP 2018–2030 — which aimed to establish a national coordination body — "has not yet found the necessary political will to be realised" [§55]. The alignment document does not report systematic progress against the five Layer 1 headline targets before setting new ones.

Sources:

  • §4 — Preamble
  • §27–28 — IV.1.1–IV.1.2. NBSAP 2018–2030 structure and indicators
  • §55 — VII.1.4. Institutional framework
  • §64 — PART II: Action Plan

Tunisia's oasis ecosystems: biodiversity, livelihoods and traditional knowledge

Tunisia's oases occupy approximately 40,803 ha in the south, situated along watercourses and springs of the northern Sahara, with the largest concentrations near Gafsa, Tozeur, Gabès, and Nefta. Collectively they support 950,000 people — approximately 10% of the national population [§8][§120].

The NBSAP treats oases as a cross-cutting system across multiple thematic threads. Ecologically, oases define the southern agrosystem zone centred on date palm biodiversity [§12]. As a conservation target, they host genetic diversity conserved ex situ by the National Gene Bank and associated institutions; the action plan proposes regional conservatories for fig, olive, pomegranate, and vine varieties at risk of extinction, with initial sites proposed at Djebba, Matmata/Tataouine, Testour, and Djerba [§83]. As an ecosystem service provider, the strategy assigns oases a 2018 baseline for services including pollination, soil fertility, and climate regulation, and proposes a dedicated assessment and restoration programme under Action B3.1.1 [§120].

On climate resilience, oasis biodiversity protection features in disaster risk measures (Measure A8.3), particularly against wind erosion, sand encroachment, and flooding. On access and benefit-sharing, the strategy identifies traditional knowledge holders — particularly women — in oasis communities as priority subjects for the proposed sui generis protection regime under Measure C1.2 [§129].

Two dedicated instruments govern oasis management: the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Oases in Tunisia (2015) and the Sustainable Management of Tunisian Oasis Ecosystems (GDEO) UNDP project (2014–2019). The action plan proposes capitalising on GDEO results and extending the approach to all traditional oases, including an organic farming pilot zone at Hezoua/Tozeur [§113]. The pressures specific to oases — macro-waste pollution, property fragmentation and abandonment, urban expansion, water scarcity, fungal diseases, and monovarietal crop expansion — are documented separately from broader national pressures [§14].

Sources:

  • §8, §12 — Preamble > Oasis and agrosystems
  • §14 — I.3. Threats
  • §83 — Measure A4.2. Regional plant conservatories
  • §113 — Measure B2.1. Agrosystem management
  • §120 — Action B3.1.1. Oasis ecosystem services
  • §129 — Measure C1.2. Traditional knowledge

3. National Commitments and GBF Alignment

Tunisia's KM-GBF alignment layer sets national commitments organised under four strategic axes: Strategic Axis A (reduce threats to biodiversity), Strategic Axis B (sustainably use fauna and flora), Strategic Axis C (access genetic resources and share benefits equitably), and Strategic Axis D (guarantee means of KM-GBF implementation) [§64].

Five headline targets from the NBSAP 2018–2030 remain active alongside the KM-GBF-aligned commitments:

Action Priority Headline target Measurability
AP 1 By 2030, NBSAP objectives achieved at a rate of 90% Measurable commitment
AP 2 By 2020, environmental economics and accounting established in development administration Measurable commitment (deadline lapsed)
AP 3 National institution for biodiversity research (INRB) created by 2025 Measurable commitment (deadline lapsed)
AP 4 By 2030, at least 30% reduction in causes of biodiversity loss Measurable commitment
AP 5 By 2030, two million hectares of natural habitats sustainably managed Measurable commitment

Strategic Axis A: Reducing threats to biodiversity

Spatial planning (GBF Target 1). The national commitment states: "By 2030, all sensitive zones and zones of high importance for biodiversity are integrated into territorial development plans and the loss of their biodiversity is reduced to the maximum extent" [§66]. Delivery relies on Measure A1.1 (integrating sensitive areas and their species inventories into spatial planning master plans) and Measure A1.2 (inventorying Key Biodiversity Areas at regional and local levels and developing corridors between them). The ICZM Protocol in the Mediterranean, ratified by Decree No. 2022-917 (November 2022), provides a legal basis for coastal spatial planning [§81]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — the integration clause is absolute, but "reduced to the maximum extent" lacks a defined threshold.

Ecosystem restoration (GBF Target 2). The national commitment states: "By 2030, at least 15% of terrestrial, inland water, marine and coastal ecosystems are restored and managed effectively." This falls below the global 30% benchmark. Restoration actions address wetlands (Measure A2.1, supported by the National Strategy for Wetlands in Tunisia (SNZHT), 2024), steppe and arid zones (Measure A2.2, with priority restoration zones covering 2,717,508 ha — 17.5% of territory — identified under the 3rd Strategy for Development and Conservation of Agricultural Land (ACTA)), and marine habitats (Measure A2.3, targeting Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, coralligenous biocoenosis, and vermetid platforms through artificial reefs and extended biological rest periods) [§69][§71][§72]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — defined threshold (15%) and deadline (2030).

Protected areas (GBF Target 3). The national commitment states: "Increase the area of protected areas by 4% by 2030" [§73]. Tunisia has 44 terrestrial protected areas — 17 national parks (approximately 541,105 ha) and 27 nature reserves (92,279 ha) — currently covering 7% of the territory. Only 8 have management and development plans; creation of new terrestrial protected areas effectively ceased after 2010 due to political circumstances and land tenure constraints [§74]. Marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs) covered 1.02% of national waters in 2019; four sites are in the final phase of creation as MCPAs [§80]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — defined increment (4 percentage points) and deadline.

Species recovery (GBF Target 4). The national commitment states: "By 2030, the list of wild species threatened with extinction is established and assessed according to IUCN criteria and species-specific conservation action plans are implemented." The national Red List (2022) currently covers only pteridophytes, gymnosperms, monocotyledons, and birds; the action plan proposes extending it to dicotyledons, herpetofauna, and mammals including chiroptera [§84]. Law No. 2024-17 (22 February 2024) implements CITES, which Tunisia ratified in 1974 [§84]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — no quantified coverage rate for species groups or action plans.

Sustainable use of wild species (GBF Target 5). The national commitment states: "Over-exploited wild fauna and flora species are identified and their harvesting is controlled." Delivery includes inventorying exploited species populations and implementing adaptive management programmes. A distinctive proposed measure would exploit invasive alien marine species commercially to mitigate their ecological impact, citing enterprises in Djerba and Gabes valorising blue crab as a replicable regional model [§87]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — no threshold or deadline stated.

Invasive alien species (GBF Target 6). The national commitment states: "The introduction pathways of IAS are identified and propagation rates are reduced by at least 30% by 2030" [§88]. The 2017 IAS Strategy and Action Plan exists but no action proposed within it has been undertaken due to lack of financial resources [§88]. Tunisia has no institutions specifically dedicated to IAS prevention, control, or eradication [§97]. Proposed instruments include a national IAS law, a national IAS observatory attached to the MEDD, and a national IAS network. Active eradication programmes cover the red palm weevil (with FAO) and cactus cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae, 2023–2025) [§97]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — defined threshold (30% reduction in propagation rates) and deadline.

Pollution reduction (GBF Target 7). The national commitment states: "By 2030, plastic pollutants, pesticides and nutrient loss are reduced by 30%" [§98]. Tunisia generates 0.25 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, recycling only 4%; plastic pollution's economic impact is estimated at 20–24 million USD (58 million Tunisian dinars) per year [§100]. More than 215 approved active pesticide substances are marketed under 493 formulations, with average consumption of 0.714 kg/ha [§102]. The Eco-Lef instrument manages plastic waste nationally; the "Plastic-Free Coast" Strategy (LISP) (2022) governs coastal plastic pollution [§40]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — three-pollutant composite reduction with defined threshold and deadline; nutrient loss appears in the national commitment but is addressed less specifically in the action plan.

Climate change and biodiversity (GBF Target 8). The national commitment states: "By 2030, energy efficiency is improved by 45%." This commitment is drawn directly from Tunisia's Paris Agreement NDC — a carbon intensity reduction target — rather than a biodiversity or nature-based framing. The NDC additionally commits to installing 8,530 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2035. The NBSAP's actions under this objective focus on ecosystem resilience: reforestation in degraded watersheds, diversification of forest species, rehabilitation of steppe rangelands, wetland restoration for climate resilience, and pilot sites to identify forest species resistant to climatic drought [§105]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — defined threshold and deadline; the commitment addresses climate mitigation through energy efficiency rather than biodiversity-climate interlinkages.

Strategic Axis B: Sustainable use of fauna and flora

Wild species use (GBF Target 9). The national commitment states: "Non-timber forest products are managed sustainably with local populations and communities in a rational manner." Delivery relies on Measure B1.1: management plans for NTFPs and monitoring of population dynamics, species-specific good practice guides, and a hunting management strategy. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — no threshold, coverage rate, or deadline stated.

Productive landscapes (GBF Target 10). The national commitment states: "Good practices for sustainable biodiversity management in productive systems are rewarded among the prioritisation criteria for development projects at national and regional level." Delivery spans agriculture (five pilot zones for organic farming), aquaculture (MSC certification guidelines for 24 sea bass and sea bream operations representing 90% of national production), fisheries (emergency measures for overexploited Gulf of Gabes stocks), and forestry (multi-year management and participatory rangeland plans) [§113][§114]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — process commitment with no quantified adoption rate or deadline.

Ecosystem services and NbS (GBF Target 11). The national commitment states: "Ecosystem goods and services are maintained at their 2018 baseline level or improved, inter alia through Nature-based Solutions." Delivery spans oasis ecosystem service assessment and restoration (Action B3.1.1), coastal forests (51,345 ha, Action B3.1.3), a 5-year national programme for pollinating insects, and a One Health framework for biodiversity-health linkages with a proposed national focal point [§120]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — baseline year specified (2018) but no measurement methodology or coverage threshold defined.

Urban biodiversity (GBF Target 12). The national commitment states: "By 2030, 20% of municipalities adopt and implement plans and actions for improving biodiversity preservation in cities." The National Sustainable Cities Programme (launched 2020, for implementation by 2030) provides the base framework; the updated NBSAP adds measures on urban ecological corridors, endemic species planting, and urban IAS eradication [§126]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — defined percentage (20%) and deadline.

Strategic Axis C: Genetic resources and benefit-sharing

ABS and genetic resources (GBF Target 13). The national commitment states: "By 2030, the operational framework on ABS is implemented and information through digital sequencing is acquired." The Nagoya Protocol was ratified by Tunisia in March 2021, but no implementing legislation has been adopted; users can currently access local genetic resources without committing to a benefit-sharing process [§128]. The 2017 National ABS Strategy also remains unimplemented. Proposed instruments include a national ABS commission (CN-APA) at the Ministry of the Environment, a sui generis regime for traditional knowledge protection, and digital sequencing of local genetic resources [§128][§129]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — deadline set but "operational" and "acquired" are undefined in scope.

Strategic Axis D: Means of implementation

Mainstreaming biodiversity (GBF Target 14). The national commitment states: "By 2030, biodiversity and its multiple values are integrated into economic policies and sectors" [§131]. The alignment analysis identifies Target 14 as the GBF target with the greatest overlap with existing national objectives (11 national targets, 8 strategic objectives). Proposed instruments include a Law on biodiversity, a national biodiversity body (CNB), a Directorate for Environmental Economics within the Ministry of Finance, and sector-specific integration plans [§136][§137][§138]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — no threshold (number of sectors or percentage of policies integrated) defined.

Business disclosure (GBF Target 15). The national commitment states: "By the 2030 horizon, at least 30% of businesses have implemented activities to reduce the effects of their value chains on biodiversity." Target 15 had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP 2018–2030. Proposed delivery includes legislation on environmental reporting obligations, ISO 14001 and ISO 26000 adoption, and biodiversity footprint requirements; the strategy notes virtually no businesses in Tunisia currently calculate their biodiversity footprint [§139]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — defined percentage and deadline.

Sustainable consumption (GBF Target 16). The national commitment states: "Implement measures to reduce by half (50%) food waste, waste production and overconsumption." Target 16 had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP. A 2019 draft legal text on sustainable public procurement exists but has not been adopted. Delivery spans regulatory measures, Ecolabelling, advertising restrictions for high-footprint products, and circular economy support. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — 50% threshold defined; the 2030 deadline is implied by the document's horizon but not explicitly stated in the national commitment text.

Harmful subsidies (GBF Target 18). The national commitment states: "By 2030, 30% of incentives harmful to biodiversity are eliminated" [§149]. Target 18 had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP. No inventory of public expenditure harmful to biodiversity currently exists in Tunisia. The 2016 Financial Resource Mobilisation Strategy identified relevant mechanisms, which remain unapplied due to insufficient regulatory texts [§58]. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — 30% threshold and 2030 deadline.

Finance mobilisation (GBF Target 19). The national commitment states: "By 2030, national and international financial support is increased by at least 20%" [§152]. The NBSAP 2018–2030 was costed at 1,150.886 million Tunisian dinars; the 2016 resource mobilisation study identified an annual budget deficit of approximately 17 million dinars. The base figure against which the 20% increase is measured is not specified in the source material. Measurability assessment: Measurable commitment — 20% threshold and 2030 deadline, though the base figure is undefined.

Capacity and technology (GBF Target 20). The national commitment states: "By 2030, a framework for cooperation and technology transfer is created and operational" [§158]. Delivery includes the Technology Action Plan (TAP) of the Ministry of the Environment, technology training (explicitly including women, youth, and persons with disabilities), and biodiversity innovation through technopoles and incubators [§162]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — deadline set but "operational" is undefined in scope.

Data and information (GBF Target 21). The national commitment states: "Create an operational platform for sharing up-to-date information and knowledge, open to the public." The national biodiversity information system (SIB), established by the Ministry of the Environment in 2024, is described as being finalised [§163]. Measurability assessment: Directional aspiration — no deadline stated, no defined accessibility or content standards.

No national commitment is set for GBF Targets 17, 22, and 23. Each is addressed in the document's text but without a headline commitment statement (see Section 7).

Sources:

  • §27 — IV.1.1. Five action priorities
  • §64–168 — PART II: Action Plan (Strategic Axes A–D)

4. Delivery Architecture

Legal Framework

Tunisia's biodiversity-related legislation is dispersed across provisions from multiple ministerial departments without a consolidating Environmental Code [§56]. The principal instruments are the Forestry Code (Law No. 66-60 of 1966, consolidated by Law No. 88-20 of 1988), defining national parks and nature reserves; the Water Code (Law No. 75-16 of 1975); the Territorial Planning and Urban Development Code (Law No. 122 of 1994); and sector-specific laws on marine and coastal protected areas (Law No. 2009-49), fishing (Law No. 94-13 of 1994), plant protection (Law No. 92-72 of 1992), and organic farming (Law No. 99-30 of 1999) [§35][§36].

Law No. 2024-17 (22 February 2024) implements CITES for international trade in wild fauna and flora threatened with extinction [§84]. The ICZM Protocol was ratified by Decree No. 2022-917 (November 2022) [§81]. The NBSAP identifies regulatory gaps requiring new legislation: a Law on IAS, a Law on biodiversity, implementing texts for the Nagoya Protocol, and a legal text on Living Modified Organisms [§56][§89][§138].

Conservation and Restoration Instruments

Key programmes include the National Strategy for the Development and Sustainable Management of Forests and Rangelands (SNDGDFP) (2015–2024), the National Strategy for Wetlands in Tunisia (SNZHT) (2024), and the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Oases (2015). Under the SNDGDFP's Forest Investment Programme (FIP), active projects include the Integrated Landscape Management in Disadvantaged Regions project (6 governorates, IBRD and Green Climate Fund, 2018–2024), the PACTE territorial climate adaptation programme (8 governorates, AFD group and Green Climate Fund, 2017–2022), and the PRODESUD/PRODEFIL agro-pastoral development programmes for steppe zones [§71]. The NBSAP notes that these combined efforts "have not succeeded in restoring rangelands sustainably, due to socioeconomic reasons, lack of an integrated pastoral improvement strategy, and lack of synergy between strategies" [§71].

Pollution and Waste Management Instruments

The Eco-Lef scheme manages plastic waste through a combined public-private approach under ANGed. The "Plastic-Free Coast" Strategy (LISP) (2022) sets the coastal pollution framework. A 2020 decree prohibits single-use plastic bags. The National Strategy for Integrated and Sustainable Management of Household and Similar Waste 2020–2035 (2021) provides the broader waste context [§40].

Proposed New Instruments

The action plan proposes several institutions not yet established: a national biodiversity body (CNB) under the Ministry of the Environment [§137]; a Directorate for Environmental Economics within the Ministry of Finance [§136]; regional biodiversity commissions at the level of regional councils and governors [§137]; a national IAS observatory [§89]; a national ABS commission (CN-APA) [§128]; and a national biodiversity research foundation [§160]. The national biodiversity information system (SIB), established in 2024, is currently being finalised [§163]. The current status of the other proposed bodies — whether any have been formally initiated — is not available in the source material.

Sources:

  • §35–37 — IV.1.5.2. National legal framework
  • §56 — VII.1.5. Regulatory framework gaps
  • §71 — Steppe restoration programmes
  • §84 — Law No. 2024-17 (CITES)
  • §113–114 — Agrosystems and aquaculture
  • §136–138 — New institutional proposals

5. Monitoring and Accountability

The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) serves as the national focal point for the CBD, with day-to-day responsibility held by the General Directorate of the Environment and Quality of Life (DGEQV) [§55]. Implementation involves the General Directorate of Forests (DGF) for terrestrial ecosystems and protected areas, APAL for coastal marine ecosystems, ANPE for environmental matters, and ANGed for waste. The General Directorate of Fishing and Aquaculture (DGPA) and the General Directorate for Development and Conservation of Agricultural Land (DGACTA) complete the primary institutional network [§55].

The NBSAP documents seven structural weaknesses in this arrangement: unclear division of responsibilities between the MEDD and Ministry of Agriculture; coordination with local authorities described as "virtually non-existent"; unclear relationship with the research community; low individual and institutional capacities; absent private sector involvement; weak ministerial anchoring of the strategy; and the non-realisation of the national coordination body under Action Priority 1, which "has not yet found the necessary political will" [§55]. The action plan proposes that KM-GBF implementation "move from a ministerial strategy to a genuine national strategy involving all stakeholders" with interministerial anchoring at the level of the Prime Minister [§137].

The NBSAP 2018–2030 developed 19 key indicators broken into 108 operational indicators, aligned with Aichi Targets, SDGs, and the Ramsar and CMS conventions [§28]. In practice, the BIP indicators in use comprise 18 key and 29 operational indicators [§54]. Biodiversity monitoring systems are described as "highly insufficient due to a lack of human and financial capacities," and the indicators proposed in the previous NBSAP "do not always show similarities with those of the KM-GBF" [§61]. The two strategic objectives for establishing a national coordination body and a monitoring-evaluation system (SO 1.1 and SO 1.2) "have not been carried out" [§54]. The 14 categories of stakeholders identified in the NBSAP span ministerial structures, research institutes, regional development bodies, local authorities, associations, and international organisations [§31].

Sources:

  • §28 — IV.1.2. Monitoring indicators
  • §31 — IV.1.4. Stakeholders
  • §54 — VII.1.3. Indicators and biodiversity monitoring
  • §55 — VII.1.4. Institutional framework
  • §61 — VII.2.3. Monitoring mechanisms
  • §137 — Proposed institutional reforms
  • §163–164 — Information systems and observatories

6. Finance and Resource Mobilisation

The NBSAP 2018–2030 was costed at approximately 1,150.886 million Tunisian dinars, with 61.7% allocated to Action Priority 5 (restoration and resilience) and 35.5% to Action Priority 4 (reducing threats) [§29]. No updated cost estimate is provided for the KM-GBF-aligned action plan itself.

A 2016 Financial Resource Mobilisation Strategy, developed under a MEDD/UNDP project, identified an annual budget deficit of approximately 17 million Tunisian dinars for financing the NBSAPs over 1998–2020 [§153]. The strategy proposed six innovative financing mechanisms for the agricultural sector — including payment for use of agricultural, forest, and pastoral biodiversity; payment for ecosystem services; and compensation for chemical input use — plus mechanisms for the equipment and energy sectors. The NBSAP states these measures "have not been applied, due to the insufficiency of regulatory texts allowing these measures to be integrated into sectoral policies" [§58]. The 2016 strategy is to be revised for KM-GBF implementation [§30].

Current funding sources include Special Treasury Funds (Fund for Protection of Tourist Zones, National Fund for Combating Desertification, Depollution Fund, Fund for Protection and Aesthetics of the Environment, National Fund for Energy Management) and international project-based financing from the World Bank, GEF, FFEM, UNEP, IUCN, AFD, and JICA [§58]. The NBSAP notes that project-based approaches "do not allow for a comprehensive approach to biodiversity conservation" given their ephemeral nature and lack of sustainability mechanisms [§58].

Tunisia's national commitment under GBF Target 19 is a 20% increase in national and international financial support by 2030 [§152]. The base figure against which the 20% increase is measured is not specified. Proposed domestic mechanisms include payments for environmental services in agriculture, green markets, the polluter-pays principle, and a framework for private sector involvement. International sources include the Green Climate Fund, green bonds, and GEF mechanisms [§156]. The NBSAP acknowledges that "the implementation of all NBSAPs has been hampered by a lack of funding for the planned activities" and that funding is "generally dedicated to environmental issues that do not clearly integrate biodiversity protection" [§58].

Sources:

  • §29 — IV.1.3. Financing of the NBSAP 2018–2030
  • §30 — Two axes for fund mobilisation
  • §58 — VII.1.7. Financial resources
  • §152–153 — Objective D6 / Target 19 and Measure D6.1
  • §156 — Measure D6.2. International resources

7. GBF Target Coverage

GBF Target 1: Spatial planning — Addressed

Tunisia commits to integrating all sensitive zones and zones of high importance for biodiversity into territorial development plans by 2030, with biodiversity loss "reduced to the maximum extent." Delivery relies on inventorying all sites and species in sensitive zones, identifying monitoring indicators for rare and endemic species, assessing ecosystem services, and developing management plans for each sensitive area (Measure A1.1). Key Biodiversity Areas are to be inventoried at regional and local levels and connected through ecological corridors (Measure A1.2). The ICZM Protocol, ratified November 2022, provides a legal basis for coastal spatial planning. The gaps analysis identifies shortcomings in spatial planning regulations for risk zones, alluvial plains, and upper hydrographic basins.

GBF Target 2: Ecosystem restoration — Addressed

Tunisia commits to restoring and effectively managing at least 15% of terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems by 2030, below the global 30% benchmark. Restoration covers wetlands (SNZHT 2024 supporting restoration and management; total economic value currently assessed only for Lake Ichkeul), steppe zones (3rd ACTA Strategy identifying priority restoration zones of 2,717,508 ha — 17.5% of territory; Alfa steppe decline from 1,112,000 ha in 1895 to approximately 552,000 ha in 2000 providing the documented baseline), and marine habitats (Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, coralligenous biocoenosis, vermetid platforms, and Neogoniolithon reefs, with artificial reefs and extended biological rest periods proposed).

GBF Target 3: Protected areas (30x30) — Addressed

Tunisia commits to increasing protected area coverage by 4 percentage points by 2030, from a current terrestrial base of 7%. The 44 terrestrial protected areas (17 national parks, approximately 541,105 ha; 27 nature reserves, 92,279 ha) are managed by the DGF and defined under the Forestry Code; only 8 have management plans, and no management effectiveness study has been carried out for any terrestrial protected area. Creation of new terrestrial protected areas effectively ceased after 2010 due to political circumstances and land tenure constraints. MCPAs covered 1.02% of national waters in 2019; four sites are in the final phase of creation (Kneiss islands, Galite Archipelago, Kuriat islands, Zembra and Zembretta). The strategy proposes creating a national body for terrestrial protected areas and extending the MAB biosphere reserve network beyond the current five sites (Ichkeul, Bouhedma, Chaambi, Zembra/Zembretta, Serj).

GBF Target 4: Species recovery — Addressed

Tunisia commits to establishing and assessing a complete Red List of wild species threatened with extinction according to IUCN criteria and implementing species-specific conservation action plans by 2030. The national Red List (2022) currently covers only pteridophytes, gymnosperms, monocotyledons, and birds; the action plan proposes extending it to dicotyledons, herpetofauna, and mammals including chiroptera. The ministerial decree listing rare species dates from 2006 and is described as not aligned with IUCN criteria. Law No. 2024-17 (February 2024) implements CITES. Ex situ collections at the National Gene Bank, IRA Médenine, INRAT, and INGREF are described as static and under-resourced; regional plant conservatories are proposed for fig, olive, pomegranate, and vine varieties.

GBF Target 5: Sustainable harvest — Addressed

Tunisia commits to identifying over-exploited wild fauna and flora species and controlling their harvesting, without a quantified threshold or deadline. The action plan proposes inventorying exploited species populations, implementing adaptive management programmes, and exploiting invasive alien marine species commercially to mitigate their ecological impact — citing enterprises in Djerba and Gabes valorising blue crab as a model for regional replication. The fishing fleet comprised 14,521 units in 2018; nearly 190 species are targeted, with over-exploitation documented particularly in the Gulf of Gabes. Sustainable fisheries management includes emergency measures to reduce overexploitation and protect spawning grounds.

GBF Target 6: Invasive alien species — Addressed

Tunisia commits to identifying IAS introduction pathways and reducing propagation rates by at least 30% by 2030. The 2017 IAS Strategy and Action Plan exists but no action proposed within it has been undertaken due to lack of financial resources. The action plan proposes adopting a Law on IAS, establishing a national IAS observatory attached to the MEDD, and creating a national IAS network. Environmental DNA analysis is proposed for early detection. Priority eradication targets include Leucaena leucocephala and yellow nightshade. Active programmes address the red palm weevil (with FAO) and cactus cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae, eradication programme 2023–2025). Marine IAS introduction pathways (ballast water, biofouling, aquaculture) are noted as fairly well understood; terrestrial pathways are not.

GBF Target 7: Pollution reduction — Addressed

Tunisia commits to reducing plastic pollutants, pesticides, and nutrient loss by 30% by 2030. Tunisia generates 0.25 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, recycling only 4%; plastic pollution's economic impact is estimated at 20–24 million USD (58 million Tunisian dinars) per year. A 2020 decree bans single-use plastic bags. The Eco-Lef scheme and LISP strategy (2022) govern plastics management; a World Bank study estimates a circular economy could create 100,000 jobs and 0.8% GDP growth. More than 215 approved active pesticide substances are marketed under 493 formulations, with average consumption of 0.714 kg/ha; the action plan proposes integrated pest management, organic farming, and a comprehensive national pesticide legal framework. Nutrient loss appears in the national commitment but is addressed less specifically in the action plan.

GBF Target 8: Climate and biodiversity — Addressed

Tunisia commits to improving energy efficiency by 45% by 2030 — drawn directly from its Paris Agreement NDC rather than a biodiversity or nature-based framing. The NDC additionally commits to reducing carbon intensity by 45% relative to 2010 and installing 8,530 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2035. The NBSAP's actions under this objective address ecosystem resilience: reforestation in degraded watersheds, diversification of forest species in replanting programmes, rehabilitation of steppe rangelands, wetland restoration for climate resilience, and pilot sites to identify forest species resistant to climatic drought. The overarching framework includes the Strategy on Biodiversity Adaptation to Climate Change (2015–2030), the National Ecological Transition Strategy (2023), and the Carbon-Neutral Development Strategy to 2050.

GBF Target 9: Wild species use — Addressed

Tunisia commits to sustainably managing non-timber forest products with local populations and communities. Delivery relies on Measure B1.1 covering management plans for NTFPs and monitoring of population dynamics, species-specific good practice guides, and a hunting management strategy. The commitment is narrower in scope than GBF Target 9's coverage of all wild species used.

GBF Target 10: Agriculture / forestry — Addressed

Tunisia commits to rewarding good practices for sustainable biodiversity management in productive systems among criteria for development projects at national and regional level. Delivery spans agriculture (five organic farming pilot zones at Hezoua/Tozeur, Mejel Belabbes/Kasserine, Kesra/Siliana, Hawaria/Nabeul, and Sejnane/Bizerte), aquaculture (MSC certification standards for 24 sea bass and sea bream operations representing 90% of national production), fisheries (emergency measures for overexploited Gulf of Gabes stocks), and forestry (multi-year management programmes and participatory rangeland plans). The National Aquaculture Development Strategy 2016–2020 is described as "poorly or not at all implemented."

GBF Target 11: Ecosystem services (NbS) — Addressed

Tunisia commits to maintaining ecosystem goods and services at their 2018 baseline level or improving them through Nature-based Solutions. Oases (40,803 ha; 10% of the national population) are identified as the primary ecosystem service system for assessment and restoration under Action B3.1.1. Coastal forests (51,345 ha) are addressed under Action B3.1.3. A 5-year national programme for pollinating insects is proposed, including Red Lists for wild pollinators and estimates of pollination service contributions to agriculture. A One Health approach integrates biodiversity-health linkages across wild animal health surveillance, zoonosis monitoring, and a proposed national biodiversity-health focal point.

GBF Target 12: Urban biodiversity — Addressed

Tunisia commits to having 20% of municipalities adopt and implement plans for biodiversity preservation in cities by 2030. The National Sustainable Cities Programme (launched 2020) provides the base framework. The NBSAP adds twelve further actions including ecological corridor creation in cities, endemic species planting in expanded urban green spaces, urban IAS identification and eradication, management plans for urban natural landscapes, and labelling of cities for conserved landscapes.

GBF Target 13: Genetic resources / ABS — Addressed

Tunisia commits to implementing an operational ABS framework and acquiring information through digital sequencing by 2030. The Nagoya Protocol was ratified in March 2021 but no implementing legislation has been adopted; access to local genetic resources currently takes place without benefit-sharing commitments, and Prior Informed Consent and Mutually Agreed Terms procedures are described as poorly ensured. The 2017 National ABS Strategy also remains unimplemented. Proposed delivery includes a national ABS commission (CN-APA) at the Ministry of the Environment, a sui generis regime for the protection of traditional knowledge, and digital sequencing of local genetic resources. Traditional knowledge data are described as scattered and of unverified scientific value.

GBF Target 14: Mainstreaming — Addressed

Tunisia commits to integrating biodiversity and its multiple values into economic policies and sectors by 2030. The alignment analysis identifies this as the GBF target with the most overlap with existing national objectives — 11 national targets and 8 strategic objectives. Proposed instruments include a Law on biodiversity, a national biodiversity body (CNB), a Directorate for Environmental Economics within the Ministry of Finance, regional biodiversity commissions at governor level, and sector-specific integration plans for agriculture, land transport, building, health, and tourism. A financial biodiversity target for each ministry's budget, to be approved by the Council of Ministers, is also proposed. The tourism sector is identified as having addressed biodiversity "only timidly" in its national sustainability strategy.

GBF Target 15: Business disclosure — Addressed

Tunisia commits to having at least 30% of businesses implement activities to reduce their value chain impacts on biodiversity by the 2030 horizon. Target 15 had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP 2018–2030. Proposed delivery includes legislation on environmental reporting obligations, ISO 14001 and ISO 26000 adoption, biodiversity footprint requirements, and product certification for businesses that reduce their impact. The strategy notes that virtually no businesses in Tunisia currently calculate their biodiversity footprint.

GBF Target 16: Sustainable consumption — Addressed

Tunisia commits to implementing measures to reduce food waste, waste production, and overconsumption by 50%. Target 16 had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP. A 2019 draft legal text on sustainable public procurement exists but has not been adopted. Proposed delivery includes integration of sustainable consumption education into school curricula, Ecolabelling, advertising restrictions for products with high environmental footprint, and circular economy support. The 2030 deadline is implied by the document's horizon but not explicitly stated in the national commitment text.

GBF Target 17: Biosafety — Mentioned

Tunisia does not state a national commitment under GBF Target 17; the target had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP 2018–2030. The NBSAP addresses biosafety through three actions under Measure D4.1: strengthening the national network of laboratories for GMO control, detection, identification, and quantification (noting the need for sequencers, detection materials, and protective equipment); adopting a legal text on biosafety regulating confined use, deliberate release, marketing, importation, transit, and destruction of GMOs (a proposed text has not yet been promulgated); and strengthening sanitary controls and biosafety standards in the poultry sector. A Biosafety Strategy and Action Plan exists.

GBF Target 18: Harmful subsidies — Addressed

Tunisia commits to eliminating 30% of incentives harmful to biodiversity by 2030. Target 18 had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP. No inventory of public expenditure harmful to biodiversity currently exists in Tunisia. Delivery includes a cross-ministry harmful subsidy assessment covering subsidies, tax advantages, and regulatory measures that promote habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, IAS introduction, or climate change effects; a multi-year reduction plan; and strengthening of subsidies beneficial to biodiversity in sustainable agriculture, fishing, renewable energies, and biodiversity research. The 2016 Financial Resource Mobilisation Strategy identified relevant mechanisms, which remain unapplied.

GBF Target 19: Finance mobilisation — Addressed

Tunisia commits to increasing national and international financial support by at least 20% by 2030. The NBSAP 2018–2030 was costed at 1,150.886 million Tunisian dinars; the 2016 resource mobilisation study identified an annual deficit of approximately 17 million dinars. The base figure for the 20% increase target is not defined. Proposed domestic mechanisms include payments for environmental services in agriculture, green markets, the polluter-pays principle, and a framework for progressive private sector involvement. International mechanisms include the Green Climate Fund, green bonds, and GEF financing. The 2016 strategy's mechanisms remain unapplied due to insufficient regulatory texts.

GBF Target 20: Capacity and technology — Addressed

Tunisia commits to creating and operationalising a framework for cooperation and technology transfer by 2030. The Technology Action Plan (TAP) of the Ministry of the Environment covers conservation agriculture, payment for forest ecosystem services, early warning systems for flood management in the upper Medjerda valley, and strengthening of information systems for marine and coastal zones. Proposed actions include training in drones, sensors, and data analysis software — with explicit inclusion of women, young people, and persons with disabilities — and encouraging biodiversity innovation through technopoles and incubators.

GBF Target 21: Data and information — Addressed

Tunisia commits to creating an operational platform for sharing up-to-date biodiversity information open to the public. The national biodiversity information system (SIB), established in 2024 and covering species diversity, threatened species, ecosystems, natural sites, water resources, soil, and forestry, is described as being finalised. Biodiversity monitoring systems are described as "highly insufficient" due to capacity gaps, and previous NBSAP indicators are noted as not always aligned with KM-GBF indicators. The 2015 National Action Plan on Communication and Awareness-Raising for Biodiversity identified 42 activities over 10 years, a significant portion of which have not been carried out. A network of biodiversity observatories is proposed to support data collection.

GBF Target 22: Inclusive participation — Mentioned

Tunisia does not state a national commitment under GBF Target 22; the target had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP 2018–2030. Participatory approaches feature across several measures: MCPA governance under Law No. 2009-49 involves public decision-making and local populations (Measure A3.5), steppe rangeland restoration incorporates participatory development (Action A2.2.1), and the proposed CNB would include local authorities and NGO representatives. Technology transfer training explicitly includes women, youth, and persons with disabilities (Action D7.3.2). The 2022 Constitution guarantees the right to a healthy and balanced environment (Article 47) and the right to drinking water for future generations (Article 48). Indigenous peoples as a category are not referenced in the NBSAP.

GBF Target 23: Gender equality — Mentioned

Tunisia does not state a national commitment under GBF Target 23; the target had no equivalent in the previous NBSAP 2018–2030. Gender is referenced in specific contexts: technology transfer training explicitly includes women alongside young people and persons with disabilities (Action D7.3.2); the traditional knowledge measure identifies women as priority knowledge holders for ABS negotiations (Action C1.2.1); and women's associations are listed among the NBSAP stakeholder network. The NBSAP does not include a gender action plan, gender-responsive budgeting, or systematic gender mainstreaming across its objectives and measures.

Translated from French